ST. LOUIS - Earvin "Magic" Johnson looked on with pride as he watched the Spartans cut down the nets at the Edward Jones Dome Sunday afternoon.

Magic also beamed with pride when asked about the play of sophomore power forward Draymond Green, who finished the game with 13 points and a pair of assists.

"It was great," answered Johnson when asked about Green's pass to Morgan that set up the game-winning free throw for the Spartans. "(Draymond) is the one guy that Tom (Izzo) trusts to make the right play both offensively and defensively. I love him. He brings the spirit, he brings the toughness to our team. He grew up last year in the Final Four and in the championship. He was the one guy that stepped up when we were not playing well and he told the team, 'we have to quit being selfish.' Give him a lot of credit for being the leader on the team."

Johnson was even more impressed with the coaching job Tom Izzo has done in 2009-2010.

"Great job by Tom Izzo again," said Johnson. "He is the best in the nation at preparing. He loves the big moment. He understands what he has to do versus every team. He comes up with a great gameplan every single time. He deserves all of the credit in world."

After watching his alma mater in the tournament last season, Johnson, thought that Michigan State would be back in the Final Four this season. Johnson isn't surprised to see his team back in the Final Four, but the Spartan great was a little bit surprised by the path that his team took to Indianapolis.

"I was a little disappointed with the lull we had in the middle season," said Johnson. "The team, they were supposed to be here. What happened last year was supposed to prepare us for this. I am not surprised that we are here because we didn't really lose anybody. We were supposed to be here."